Educating Our Educators (March 2011) - Algoma District School Board

In June 2007, ADSB formed the Aboriginal Focus Group, which consists of educators, support staffand Aboriginal partners to work with our schools and staff providing them with the resources andsupport to assist Aboriginal students in meeting with greater academic success in our schools. Thisgroup continues to address the needs of our Aboriginal students. There are a number of issues thatimpact on Aboriginal student achievement, including a lack of awareness among teachers of thelearning styles of Aboriginal students and a lack of understanding within schools and school boardsof First Nation , Métis and Inuit cultures, histories and perspectives. (Framework 2007). We areworking with our school staff, administrators and our Aboriginal partners to address these issues.Our Aboriginal PartnersWithin the ADSB region we support 9 First Nation bands: Batchewana First Nation, Garden RiverFirst Nation, Thessalon First Nation, Mississauga First Nation, Serpent River First Nation,Michipicoten First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Brunswick House First Nation andMissanabie Cree First Nation. We also support our Urban Aboriginal population working with theIndian Friendship Centre as well as the Métis Nation of Ontario and Inuit people of Ontario. Wehave formed a strong partnership over the past four years and continue to learn and work with eachother.Ministry of EducationThe Ministry of Education continues to support boards with Aboriginal initiatives through funding.ADSB appreciates the funding the Ministry through the Aboriginal Education Office has provided toEducating Our Educators – Educating Our Aboriginal StudentsRevised March 20118